Generally speaking, the goal and purpose of technology is to solve problems and make life easier. This rule applies to business enterprises and commerce, as well as, for the average person. The world has become more connected than ever before, as parties from every corner and sector claim a greater stake in the Internet of Things, IoT.

Because of the usefulness and functionality that it offers, many new homes are being built with smart technology already integrated. People with older homes are, likewise, adding smart home components as well. It is a trend that is increasing steadily. Smart homes afford those who live in them a higher level of control. When the lessons learned from enterprise IoT are applied to tech filled spaces, homes become vastly more flexible in how owners can positively use them.

Convenience

A key value that smart homes bring to most people is convenience. Whether it's having the ability to remotely control heating and air conditioning, communicating with someone who just rang the doorbell, or streaming music from one room to another, smart technology provides a higher level of convenience. Now consider that the smart home is integrated into the Internet of Things.

Imagine, if you will, a home that is equipped to track your ETA once leaving work and smart enough to make sure that your coffee is ready, hot and waiting when your arrive. Or maybe envision a home that is equipped to track your usage of food, know when you are getting low, and prepares a list which can be ordered, paid for, and deliver with only a yes command from you. This is the world of the internet of things and it's happening now. Google and Walmart have recently partnered and working to give Google Home this functionality.

Safety

Smart homes come with the technology to make homes safer. When away from home, you currently have the ability to turn on lights, lock and unlock doors, and check to see who is there with the use of IP controlled home security cameras. How much better would the security be if the system was augmented by IoT. As the smart home becomes smarter and gain access to more resources, home security becomes better and more efficient.

Fingerprint and iris scanners can add an extra level of protection at points of entry while drones can provide wide area surveillance. An outdoor camera that is connected to a broader network, could be serve as the eyes for local firemen or law enforcement during an incident. Having visual knowledge of a situation before arrival increases the safety for all involved.

Health and Accessibility

Health and accessibility are other aspects of smart homes that can incorporate the lessons learned from enterprise IoT to great benefit. Enterprise IoT is based on the premise of developing value and services to appliances and other connected tools. Smart homes are a valuable tool to those who are disabled. Technology allows doors to be opened and unlocked, channels to be changed, and lights to be turned on or off. This can be done from within the home or from anywhere. As a result, those who are disabled can enjoy a new level of independence.

Now, consider the Internet of Things and expand your thoughts to the topic of health. Smart homes could one day include wireless sensor networks which, along with a device that a person wears, may be used to monitor a patient's health and vital signs day to day. Installed dispensaries could store a person's medication and dispense the right amount. Because the system would be connected, it could track usage and order refills before a person actually ran out. The most promising thing is that physicians would have real time intelligence of a patient's state and could adjust the amount, more or less, that is being dispense immediately.

This is just a glimpse at the possibilities of how smart homes and IoT can positively impact the health of its occupants. It also shines a light on the opportunities that exist for companies to continue to develop these technologies and services and bring them to the market that is waiting to benefit from them.